The otter pups were taken in for rehabilitation at IFAW and partners Wildlife Trust of India’s (WTI) Wildlife Rescue Center.

A fighter from birth, Oli survived those dramatic first days in rehab and carers nursed him and then introduced him to a makeshift pool to learn how to fish and develop his natural instincts.

Oli grew strong and late last year was fitted with a radio transmitter for post-release tracking.

This week, the IFAW-WTI team took Oli to a natural stream for release. A team of field biologists will monitor the 16-month-old otter to ensure his well-being before he heads out to the larger ecosystem of Kaziranga National Park.

The IFAW Wildlife Rescue Center in India cares for hundreds of wild animals each year but this is the first time a hand raised otter is being released back into the wild.